Relations sour as Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffs the US

John Lyons, 27/5/10

The Mayflower Hotel is a grand old building in one of the best parts of Washington, and Benjamin Netanyahu had one of its grandest suites. So why would the Israeli Prime Minister not hold meetings in the suite during his visit this week? The Israeli media said he feared the Americans had bugged the room, so his key talks were held in the “secure room” of the Israeli embassy. How did it come to Israel wondering if its closest ally had planted bugging devices to spy on its leader? Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said: “The last time something like this happened was 12 years ago. The PM’s name back then was Benjamin Netanyahu as well. The US President was called Bill Clinton.